Of all the tricky puzzles in Hell is Us, the Mystery that will likely give players the most trouble is “Enlightenment.” This Mystery will be encountered early in the game, when you first descend into the sewers below Jova Village. There, you will find a strange door marked with five distinct symbols. If you explore the nearby area, you will encounter a strange set of lamps that are marked with one of these symbols. From this point, however, there is very little to go on. In this guide, we’ll show you how to open the symbol door beneath Jova Village, and solve the Enlightenment Mystery in Hell is Us.
How to Begin the Enlightenment Mystery in Hell is Us
Visit the Jova Village Sewers:
You will not be able to complete ‘Enlightenment’ until approximately halfway through Hell is Us. There are five locations you must visit in the Acasa Marshes, and not all of them are accessible on your first visit. The final location, the small military encampment with the locked gate located east of Jova Village, can be accessed once you locate the second Keystone (collectibles that drive the main story). You receive the code to the gate as part of the main story missions. Once that gate is unlocked, you’ll know you can complete ‘Enlightenment.’
To reach the Jova sewers, you’ll want to head west up the hill from Captain Vaas’ location, then turn left, and head south into the group of destroyed homes. In the center of the courtyard between the homes, you’ll see a well that has a ladder leading down to the sewers.
Head north in the sewers until you reach the next ladder that leads down to the lower level. Directly next to this ladder, you’ll see a door covered in symbols. You cannot interact with the door yet, but it is clear these symbols must be important. This is the door tied directly to the ‘Enlightenment’ Mystery in Hell is Us.
However, you will not begin the mystery in earnest until you go to the lower level of the sewers. Take the ladder next to the symbol door, and make your way through the passages until you reach a sunken area with a shallow pool of water. There will be several basic enemies that emerge from this water. Once they are dealt with, look for two strange-looking lamps on the wall. You’ll see an eye-shaped symbol, with seven enclosed dots beneath them. These symbols are also on the main door up above.
This is the first of five locations that you’ll have to interact with to complete Enlightenment. After interacting with this light, you’ll see a notice appear telling you the Mystery has started.
Solution Clues: Notebook – Symbol Research:
If you head east out of Jova Village, starting in the direction of the locked camp, then turn slightly to the right, you’ll see a yellow item orb sitting on a wooden walkway near some dead bodies. Upon approaching, multiple low-level enemies will arise from the shallow water. Picking up this item will reveal it to be the Notebook – Symbol Research item.
Inside this notebook, you’ll find several clues on how to solve this extremely tricky mystery. However, all the answers can be found below as well.
How to Complete Enlightenment in Hell is Us
You can visit the five key locations in any order you like. Each location has two lamps that can be turned. Most locations require you to turn on one of two lamps. See below for the correct lamp alignments.
Location 1 – Jova Sewers:
As mentioned, this is the same location as the symbol door. Make your way to the second basement level of the sewers and stand facing the two lamps on the wall.
Interact with the lamp on the left.
Location 2 – Western Monument
The Western Monument is found in the far western corner of Acasa Marshes. Head out to the monument and look for the entrance to the bunker around the back side of the hill that the cuboid structure is sitting on. Once inside, you’ll see the two lamps in a corner corridor.
Interact with the lamp on the left.
If you look at the above image, you’ll notice that only one of the lamps will look the same when turned, as they each go in the opposite direction.
Location 3 – Pathem Abbey
Pathem Abbey is a location mentioned early in the game, but you’ll have to wait until Captain Vaas leaves Jova and heads to the abbey himself to enter it. Once you are able to enter the Abbey, you’ll go in through the basement. The two lamps will be found at the end of the corridor that leads to the Timeloop within the abbey.
Interact with the lamp on the right.
Location 4 – Vigil Training Grounds:
The fourth location is found at the Vigil Training Grounds. To unlock the training grounds, you’ll need to solve the Martial Lineage Mystery. Once you gain access to the training grounds, which are located at the base of Monument Hill, the large hill with three cuboid structures, you can see from Jova Village.
Interact with the lamp on the left.
Location 5 – Beneath Military Camp
It is currently unknown if it is possible to enter the camp early if you have the gate code. The password was 151991 for us. It may not work until you’ve collected the second Keystone.
The final location is the locked military camp directly east of Jova Village. This camp has a large locked gate that requires a passcode to enter. You’ll get this passcode after recovering the second Keystone.
From the camp, make your way around to the back of the hill, and you’ll find a tunnel leading underground. You’ll first encounter the Vault of Forbidden Knowledge. Turn right, and you’ll see a tunnel filled with low-level enemies. Make your way through them to find the lamps.
Interact with both lamps.
Enlightenment Rewards:
Once you’ve set all five lamps to their proper orientation, you should feel a rumble in the game world. Once this occurs, you can return to the symbol door beneath Jova Village. In the chamber, you’ll find the following rewards:
- Polearm of Ecstasy (Grade 3, Level 10 for us)
- Crucible of Fire Passive Relic: A reckless rage grips you, increasing melee damage dealt and taken.
